Peterson done with court case after plea; no timetable for return to NFL
Running back Adrian Peterson agreed to a plea bargain in Montgomery County, Texas on Tuesday, clearing an important step for Peterson's return to the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings.
However, the three-time All-Pro running back will still need to be cleared by the NFL, while the Vikings brace for the possible return from the franchise's all-time leading rusher.
Peterson, appearing with attorney Rusty Hardin, pleaded no contest to one count of Class A misdemeanor reckless assault Tuesday. Peterson will have to pay a $4,000 fine and related court costs, and will serve 80 hours of community service. Peterson waived his right to a jury trial and appeal in making the no contest plea.
Mongtomery County judge Kelly Case accepted Peterson's plea agreement in a court hearing Tuesday. Case said "I'm not going to find you guilty" and stayed the adjudication for two years, a probationary period for Peterson. After pleading no contest, Case could have still found Peterson guilty of the charges, which could have included up to a year in jail. Case ordered the file sealed following the hearing.
Peterson was charged in Montgomery County, where he lives in the offseason, on charges of injury to a child, stemming from an incident in May when he disciplined a son with a tree branch. Peterson was placed on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list and has been away from the team on paid leave while he handles the legal matter.
Peterson had hoped to settle the legal matter quickly and hasten his return to the NFL.
Speaking Tuesday morning -- hours before the Peterson hearing -- with local reporters during Minnesota's bye week, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman declined comment on Peterson's situation and was unwilling to lay out any protocol which Peterson might be facing.
Later, the team released a statement, saying: "The Vikings are aware of today's plea agreement involving Adrian Peterson. We will have further comment at the appropriate time."
While Peterson resolved the court matter, he still could face discipline from the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy. The NFL will make the determination when Peterson would be reinstated from the commissioner's exempt list.
"We will review the court documents," a league spokesman told FoxSportsNorth.com on Tuesday. "We cannot speculate on a timetable for a decision."
Peterson hasn't played since Week 1, missing eight weeks while away from the team. The Vikings have a bye this week and return Nov. 16 at Chicago.
Several teammates have kept in touch with Peterson during his absence. Speaking on Tuesday after the team's lone bye week practice, several players said they would welcome Peterson back once he's cleared.
"He's tried to stay involved as much as he can, while also dealing with his situation," fullback Jerome Felton said. "But I think everybody understands what he's had to do away from the team and when he came back it wouldn't be an issue."
Players said Peterson wouldn't have to say anything to the team when he returns regarding the situation or his absence.
"Guys have chatted amongst each other and I don't think there's anyone in that locker room that would need to hear from him," said tight end Kyle Rudolph, adding: "We all know the kind of person he is. We've stood behind him this whole time. You'd be crazy not to welcome him back into that locker room. It would be a big pickup for this locker room being we have so many young guys. Anytime you can have a veteran back in that locker room, the leader that he is in the locker room, out on the practice field, would be huge for us."
Rookie running back Jerick McKinnon has run for 446 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry in taking up much of the lead back role. Matt Asiata has 277 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.
Yet, the thought of bringing back a six-time Pro Bowl running back excites Minnesota's offensive players. The Vikings rank 29th in the league in total offense and 12th in rushing.
"He's one of the best players in the world, and he's obviously somebody who's meant a lot to this community, meant a lot for the team," Felton said. "He's one of our leaders. He was up here in the offseason. People follow his lead because of how hard he works. So it'd be pretty nice to add that back into the team."
Like Spielman, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer declined to go into much detail regarding Peterson's possible return when asked Monday.
"You know, I only go by what I see," Zimmer said. "Adrian has always been great with me. He's been top-notch, first-class, did everything I asked him to do. I'm not going to speculate on what happens, 'if' and 'when' and all this. When and if it happens then I'll be glad to talk to you about it."
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